The launch of Bengaluru Metro’s Yellow Line has begun easing congestion on Hosur Road, one of the city’s busiest stretches. A study by ASTRAM (Actionable Intelligence for Sustainable Traffic Management), under the Bengaluru Traffic Police, found that traffic dropped by 10% on August 11, the first day of operations, compared to regular Mondays.
The 11.5 km stretch from Central Silk Board to Bommasandra showed the overall decline, while the most notable relief was during evening peak hours (4–9 pm). Here, congestion reduced by 32% across the 21 km corridor from RV Road to Bommasandra, as many commuters preferred the Metro for their return trips. Morning hours (7–11 am) saw a 22% dip on August 12, indicating gradual adoption.
“On average, traffic along Hosur Road has reduced by 10% since the Yellow Line began operations,” said DCP (Traffic-South) Gopal M. Byakod. He noted that while authorities expected a 20% reduction, improved Metro frequency and stronger feeder bus services are needed to push numbers higher. “Evening relief is more visible as many office-goers still use cabs or autos in the morning but choose Metro to return home,” he explained.
Another officer observed that the line, connecting key job hubs like Electronics City, has already taken pressure off Hosur Road. With time, adoption is expected to rise further. “Travel mode shifts usually take weeks. With reliable last-mile connectivity and frequent trains, the Yellow Line could substantially reduce road traffic,” the officer added.